BatFest to shed light on the world of nocturnal flying mammals

BatFest 2011 will be held from 2 p.m. until 5:30 p.m Sunday, July 31, in Crossnore, giving the public an opportunity to connect with wildlife biologists and learn everything they’ve ever wanted to know about bats.

Each year wildlife biologists from across the Southeast descend on an area for an intensive study of the region’s bats and this year they are landing in WNC.

There will be a live bat demonstration and educational talks about the bats of North Carolina, why bats are important, and about white-nose syndrome, the disease that has killed more than a million bats. Activities will include face painting, bat house building, bat games, and more. The event is put on by the Southeastern Bat Diversity Network and will be held at the B.H. Corpening Training Facility.